Source: Edwina Kanoho - This
ancient chant, set to music, praises the Kona and Kohala
districts of the island of Hawaiʻi and was dedicated to King
Kalākaua, also known as Kaulīlua. Ehu was a chief
famous for his peacful reign and also the ancient name of a
land district in South Kona. Kaʻawaloa is a village in
Honaunau, Kawaihae and Māhukona are villages in the
Kohala area. ʻĀpaʻapaʻa is the strong wind from Kohala, the
northwest district of Hawaiʻi. The last verse, Lēʻī mai ʻo
Kohala i ka nuku (Kohala is crowded at the mouth) is part of
a military intelligence report from Pupukea to Kamalalawalu,
the Maui leader. The understanding was that all of the
people had gone to the harbor mouth leaving that section
unprotected. Kamalalawalu invaded the island, but was
defeated. Translation by Noelani Mahoe, Hawaiian Text edited by Puakea Nogelmeier